Calvin's writing samples

I am using the Institue for Excellence in Writing for Calvin this year as we follow the ancient world. I thought I'd post his samples here.



The Great Flood
By Calvin

The rain poured,
Lightning flashed across the faded sky,
Thunder roared like a train.

Wind howled,
The earth shook,
Men drowned quickly.

Inside the ark Noah sailed
And his family worked,
The animals slept.

Noah stepped off the boat.
His eyes scanned the barren land.

Sumer
By Calvin
Sumer was one of the oldest civilizations ever between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. They were famous for their pyramid-like temples called Ziggurats. Ziggurats had stair-like sides. Each level was smaller than the one below it. The greatest one was in the town of Ur, towering 160 feet above the ground. Each colossal ziggurat was dedicated to non-existing godly junk.

The Oldest Story Known
By Calvin

The oldest fictional story known was written nearly 5,000 years ago on 12 stone tablets. The story takes place in a city called Urek when Gilgamesh was king. The story is filled with mythical gods, creatures and adventures. It also mentions some events from the Bible. For example, a great flood destroyed all but one man. Tragically a corrupt serpent steals eternal life from man. Rapidly, word of this story must have spread through the ancient world. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a fun-to-read Sumerian record. End of story.

Gilgamesh (this was the hardest one he's had to do)
by Calvin

Gilgamesh went on a quest for eternal life. The quest was dangerous; going over quiet, jagged mountain, and scorching, lifeless deserts. He was searching for a powerful plant that would make him immortal. He spied the plant at the bottom of the freezing Euphrates River. So he tied stones to his ankles and jumped in! The current was strong as he reached for the thorny, glowing, radiant plant. He had one chance to grab it. When he came near the plant, he grabbed it and pulled. Finally, it shot up out of the ground, sending him back-flipping through the water! Excitedly he cut the rocks from his ankles and swam for the surface. Success!!!!
On his way home, Gilgamesh stopped to bathe at a cool pond. Suddenly a sly snake slithered up to the plant and gulped it down! Gilgamesh watched in horror. Surprisingly, the snake shed its skin and shiny new scales were underneath. Gilgamesh wailed in despair, for the plant was gone for eternity.
While Gilgamesh was wailing in despair, his friend Enkidu called him. He was back from the afterlife in the form of an eagle. Wow! Enkidu urged Gilgamesh to get on his back, and he soared over Sumer. Presently, they saw houses as big as pine trees and the green, earthly house-gardens. “Here is the secret of eternal life.” Enkidu said. “Because you have strengthened this city, you will live in the hearts of the people forever.”

Pyramids
By Calvin

Pyramids are what Ancient Egypt is known for. One of the pyramids is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The pyramids were tombs for the noble people. It took more than 20 years for 100,000 men to fashion a pyramid. The pyramids were filled with numerous treasures, and the entrance was hidden on the North side. The coffin was underground or inside the pyramid. Tragically, most pyramids were eventually, evilly robbed. What a shame! Pyramids are known around the world.


We'll finish our unit by writing about the Sphinx and then Mummies ... then we can move on through history. We have been on Egypt for toooo long. :)